FM newsroom – office management. Hybrid working has transformed how companies use office space, yet many businesses are still making leasing decisions based on outdated assumptions. A new tool aims to change that by helping organisations calculate exactly how much office space they really need — in less than a minute.
Data-Driven Decisions for the Hybrid Era
iO Partners’ newly launched iO4Workplace platform is designed to simplify one of the most difficult questions facing occupiers today: how much office space is actually required in a hybrid working environment?
As attendance patterns continue to shift, fixed desks are becoming less relevant, and office utilisation rates are falling well below pre-pandemic expectations. Yet real estate remains one of the highest operating costs for most organisations. This creates a growing need for more accurate workplace planning and evidence-based leasing decisions.
From Assumptions to Measurable Scenarios
Rather than relying on traditional space calculations, iO4Workplace uses a short five-question assessment to estimate office requirements and compare multiple workplace scenarios. The platform evaluates operational models, employee attendance habits and the financial impact of different office layouts.
The aim is not simply to reduce floor space, but to help companies understand whether their workplace strategy supports business performance effectively.
“The goal is to help leaders quickly identify which space alternatives match their headcount, attendance patterns and operational needs,” Balázs Agócs, Head of Workplace Services CEE & SEE at iO Partners, told Irodakereső.hu.
He also added that the company is not trying to push every organisation towards the same office model, but instead wants to simplify complex workplace planning decisions.
A Growing Role for Workplace Analytics
The launch reflects a wider trend across the facilities management and corporate real estate sectors: the increasing importance of workplace data in decision-making.
Businesses preparing for lease renewals, relocations, headcount expansion or adjustments to hybrid working policies may benefit most from the platform. In many cases, even a few hundred square metres of unnecessary space can represent a significant additional cost.
Developed as part of the company’s iO Tech digital consultancy platform, iO4Workplace demonstrates how workplace analytics are becoming central to office strategy. The discussion is no longer only about where an office should be located, but also about how effectively the workplace supports collaboration, flexibility and long-term business goals.
Office Space as a Business Tool
For facility managers and occupiers alike, the message is increasingly clear: office space should not be treated as a fixed asset, but as an operational tool that can be continuously optimised.
As hybrid work becomes a permanent feature of business life, organisations that adapt their workplace strategies using real-time data and flexible planning models are likely to gain a competitive advantage — both financially and operationally.